Pay for Parking & Transit in Google Maps
Google Maps Expands Mobile Payment Options for Parking and Transit
Motorists across the United States are now presented with the convenience of settling parking fees directly through Google Maps. This enhancement is the result of a broadened collaboration with leading transportation technology firms, Passport and ParkMobile. Furthermore, Google has revealed an extension of its contactless payment capabilities to encompass public transportation users.
Expanded Availability Across the U.S.
The pay for parking functionality within Google Maps is initially being deployed to over 400 cities nationwide via the Android platform. Key metropolitan areas included in this initial rollout are Boston, Cincinnati, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C. The iOS version of the Google Maps application will receive this feature in the near future, according to the company’s announcement.
Global Transit Integration
In addition to parking, the updated system will support contactless payments for public transit in more than 80 transit agencies around the world. This expansion aims to streamline the user experience for commuters globally.
Building on Initial Success
The parking feature, which initially integrated with Passport’s operating system, was first introduced in Austin, Texas, last year. Both companies signaled their intention to broaden the feature’s reach to additional U.S. cities at that time. This wider implementation represents a significant achievement for the North Carolina-based startup, now integrated into a highly popular navigation application.
ParkMobile also benefits from this integration, further solidifying its presence within the Google Maps ecosystem.
Addressing Modern Needs
According to Google Maps product manager Vishal Dutta and Google Pay’s Fausto Araujo, the primary objective is to enable users to pay for parking without physical contact with parking meters. This feature is particularly relevant and beneficial in the current environment shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic.
How the Payment System Works
As drivers navigate using Google Maps on both iOS and Android devices, those in participating U.S. cities will encounter an option to pay for parking using Google Pay as they approach their destination.
Utilizing the system requires a pre-existing Google Pay account, linked to a valid credit or debit card. Drivers then input their meter number and the desired parking duration, completing the transaction through Google Pay.
Furthermore, users can conveniently add additional time to their parking meter directly from the Google Pay app, eliminating the need to return to their vehicle.